Sky Circus on Ice – February 14-17, 2014

February 14, 2014 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Delavan will come alive with free winter fun during the first-ever Sky Circus on Ice, Friday, Feb. 14 through Monday, Feb. 17, 2014. Presented by Gift of Wings and WinterFun Inc., and sponsored by the Delavan-Delavan Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and Lake Lawn Resort, the four-day event will feature world-class kite performances over Delavan Lake, ice carving and snow sculpting throughout Lake Lawn’s grounds and downtown Delavan, and a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.

Kite displays and performances on Saturday and Sunday
The main attraction among the weekend’s robust lineup is a series of kite performances presented by Gift of Wings on Saturday and Sunday. Beginning at 10 a.m. both days, giant kites powered by Kunes Country Auto Group will create sky-high scenes visible for miles around, with some kites measuring as long as 150 ft. Attendees can join the fun and harness winter gusts in designated areas with their own kites beginning at 10 a.m., or purchase one from the Gift of Wings kite store on site.

At noon on both Saturday and Sunday, the Mercy Health System Grand Launch will kick off the action as 600 kites take to the sky. Following the launch, attendees can watch a variety of professional kite performances sponsored by Community Bank CDB. International kite performers like the Chicago Fire Kite Team and Detroit’s Windjammers Kite Team will fly kites in unison during shows choreographed to music – much like the Blue Angels airshow, only with kites. Spectators can take in all the sights until 5 p.m. As an added incentive, there will be impromptu Andes Candies Kite Candy Drops for children throughout the afternoon both days, plus a surprise item drop for adults.

Interactive demonstrations, activities and exhibits
In addition to sky-high performances, Sky Circus on Ice offers attendees a number of hands-on activities for a closer look at flying techniques. In memory of Sally Krause, who owned the treasured Flagsource North kite store in Delavan, an area of the lake will be cleared of snow and reserved for the Sally Krause Learn to Fly Area. Under the direction of “Kite Whisperer” Brett Williams, aspiring kite flyers can drop in between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday to score flying tips. Gift of Wings kites will be available for use in the designated area for those without kites.

At 2:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, children 12 and under can participate in the Stinebrink’s Piggly Wiggly Kids Mad Dash. Each day, the first 100 children to register in advance and participate in the challenge will receive a free kite. Using their new kites, children will compete to see who can get their kite highest in the allotted 60 seconds, with the winner earning a special grand prize.

For a break from the cold, children and adults can learn how to make kites during workshops lead by Misses Kite Lady. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, and cost just $3 per person. Experts will also have examples of their own handcrafted kites on display for an up-close look. Connor Doran, a top-12 finalist on the fifth season of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” will also provide entertainment with indoor kite performances at 7 p.m. on Friday, and at 1 and 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Doran will demonstrate his ability to fly kites indoors without any wind, relying only on body movements. As a sneak preview to the weekend shows, Doran will be visiting Delavan area schools that Friday, delivering an important message along with a demonstration of his talent.

Four days of ice carving and snow sculpting
While kites set the scene up high, ice carvings and snow sculptures organized by WinterFun Inc. will add some frozen flair at ground level. Friday through Monday, top ice carvers and snow sculptors from Wisconsin and Illinois will offer live demonstrations, with six displays at Lake Lawn. Another six masterpieces will come to life in historic downtown Delavan, covering each end with displays from Tower Park to the area near the Delavan Post Office.

Keeping with the weekend event’s name, the artists will shape 300-pound ice blocks and 8-foot-tall snow blocks into unique circus-themed masterpieces. Both out-of-town visitors and area locals are invited to check out the festive scenes, which will remain on display at all locations for as long as weather permits. A Best in Show award will be given to the best form in each class on Monday, once all works have been completed.

Downtown Delavan festivities
Several downtown Delavan businesses are inviting spectators to stop in and warm up while visiting snow and ice sculptures, including Beall Jewelers and Lauren’s Antique & Art Centre. Brick Street Market, Gill Family Chiropractic, Bradley’s Department Store and Remember When will also open their doors on Saturday and Sunday, as well as serve complimentary snacks and refreshments. For added entertainment, people can check out the Winter Photo Show plus live music by Isaiah Marx & Friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Brick Street Market; live music by Cheryl Niemo and the Down Home Boys from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Brick Street Market and Remember When; and music by Isaiah Marx & Friends from 12 to 2 p.m. on Sunday at Bradley’s Department Store.

Other event offerings
There will be a variety of belly-warming concessions available each day to keep spectators fueled, including hot cocoa, hot dogs, brats and more. Additional parking for those attending the Saturday and Sunday kite performances will be available at the adjacent Lake Lawn Airport, with complimentary shuttle service to and from the kite show grounds

Overnight Packages
Sky Circus On Ice Weekend room packages for two nights are $419 – three-night $519 for a family of four includes one kite per person, lunch or dinner at the Isle of Capri Café for four (one large pizza, four non-alcoholic beverages, four one-scoop dishes of ice cream or gelato) and various weekend activities.